Garbage Pickup Schedule Back on Table For Winter Haven Commission

By RYAN E. LITTLELedger Media Group

Published: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 2:25 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 2:25 a.m.

WINTER HAVEN | After a budget impasse last month was resolved when commissioners agreed to have a budget workshop to consider modifying it, Monday night those same commissioners decided not to make any major changes in it.

Commissioners will, however, take a second look at the city's garbage pickup schedules, a majority agreed Monday.

A change could mean cutting citywide pickup from twice-per-week to once-per-week, as Commissioner Pete Chichetto had asked for and as every other city in Polk County does, city staff said.

The idea was first brought up in 2012 during a months-long saga that saw commissioners consider privatizing the city service. The change in pickup days would save the city $107,000 over five years, a study found, because the city would need to buy larger containers and new trucks.

Chichetto questioned the need for the containers.

"I know the 55-gallon (containers) we apparently have are adequate enough unless there is an extreme amount (of garbage)," Chichetto said.

Commissioners asked Community Services Director T. Michael Stavres to take a second look at the numbers for the commission's review.

Commissioners did not take an official vote but Commissioner Nat Birdsong and Mayor J.P. Powell each said they would like to see the study.

Stavres could not say Monday night how long it will take for a new report, but said it would likely not include new numbers on privatizing the department.

Commissioner Brad Dantzler also brought up changes he wants to the city's budget to ensure non-recurring revenues aren't paying for recurring expenses, but a majority of the other commissioners did not express support for the initiative.

Commissioners also heard the first reading of an ordinance to change when the body elects the city's mayor.

The new ordinance will fix an oversight made during the commission's approval of changes to the date of the municipal election. The change moved Election Day from September to November.

Without a change, commissioners would elect a new mayor Oct. 28. It would have been after new commissioners had been sworn in under the old Election Day but now is before the election.

If approved on its second reading, commissioners would elect a mayor Jan. 13. That is the same day the winner of the Nov. 5 election will be sworn-in.

Activist Debra Ogzewalla is challenging Commissioner Steven Hunnicutt for Seat 5. Commissioner Brad Dantzler was re-elected to Seat 4 after no one filed to run against him.

The change would mean Powell could lead the commission for about two months longer than he would have. The original change also extended the commissioners' terms.

The mayor and mayor pro tem are each elected to one-year terms by the commission.

<p>WINTER HAVEN | After a budget impasse last month was resolved when commissioners agreed to have a budget workshop to consider modifying it, Monday night those same commissioners decided not to make any major changes in it.</p><p>Commissioners will, however, take a second look at the city's garbage pickup schedules, a majority agreed Monday.</p><p>A change could mean cutting citywide pickup from twice-per-week to once-per-week, as Commissioner Pete Chichetto had asked for and as every other city in Polk County does, city staff said.</p><p>The idea was first brought up in 2012 during a months-long saga that saw commissioners consider privatizing the city service. The change in pickup days would save the city $107,000 over five years, a study found, because the city would need to buy larger containers and new trucks.</p><p>Chichetto questioned the need for the containers.</p><p>"I know the 55-gallon (containers) we apparently have are adequate enough unless there is an extreme amount (of garbage)," Chichetto said.</p><p>Commissioners asked Community Services Director T. Michael Stavres to take a second look at the numbers for the commission's review.</p><p>Commissioners did not take an official vote but Commissioner Nat Birdsong and Mayor J.P. Powell each said they would like to see the study. </p><p>Stavres could not say Monday night how long it will take for a new report, but said it would likely not include new numbers on privatizing the department.</p><p>Commissioner Brad Dantzler also brought up changes he wants to the city's budget to ensure non-recurring revenues aren't paying for recurring expenses, but a majority of the other commissioners did not express support for the initiative. </p><p>Commissioners also heard the first reading of an ordinance to change when the body elects the city's mayor.</p><p>The new ordinance will fix an oversight made during the commission's approval of changes to the date of the municipal election. The change moved Election Day from September to November.</p><p>Without a change, commissioners would elect a new mayor Oct. 28. It would have been after new commissioners had been sworn in under the old Election Day but now is before the election.</p><p>If approved on its second reading, commissioners would elect a mayor Jan. 13. That is the same day the winner of the Nov. 5 election will be sworn-in. </p><p>Activist Debra Ogzewalla is challenging Commissioner Steven Hunnicutt for Seat 5. Commissioner Brad Dantzler was re-elected to Seat 4 after no one filed to run against him. </p><p>The change would mean Powell could lead the commission for about two months longer than he would have. The original change also extended the commissioners' terms.</p><p>The mayor and mayor pro tem are each elected to one-year terms by the commission.</p>